Category: Crime, Thriller, Mystery

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

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Synopsis: With a missing girl in the news, Claire Scott can’t help but be reminded of her sister, who disappeared twenty years ago in a mystery that was never solved.

But when Claire begins to learn the truth about her sister, nothing will ever be the same.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

Kat’s Review: After reading the first few chapters of the new Karin Slaughter I wondered what was going on. Although it starts with a very pacey opening, I just couldn’t get into it. This in itself is slightly unusual. However, having now finished the book I think Karin Slaughter decided that if she injected the same amount of terror into the start as she did at the end, her readers may not make it through the book alive!

First off you need to understand that even though this book is not part of her brilliant Georgia series, it is by no means any less compelling. It’s also not short on violence and degradation, so if this isn’t your thing you may want to give it a miss. If it doesn’t bother you in the slightest with fiction, you really do need to go and get yourself a copy as soon as humanly possible.

Claire Scott is constantly reminded of her sister who disappeared twenty years prior and was never found. However, her life now seems to be in perfect order with a loving and successful husband and more money than you can shake a stick at. Claire’s other sister Lydia no longer has a relationship with Claire and their lives could not be further apart. Initially Lydia was the character I was more compelled to read about, however when the story really starts to take a shift, Claire became just as compelling if not more so.

Although a slow starter, Karin Slaughter has once again written an absolutely outstanding book. I was literally on the edge of my seat and there were so many twists in the story I may as well have been on a real rollercoaster. There were times I actually held my breath, before realising I really wouldn’t make it to the end of the book if I did that. By the end of the book I realised that Karin Slaughter is quite simply a genius. This was without a doubt one of the most hair raising books I’ve read this year. It’s certainly a stomach churner (especially with content) but one that I wouldn’t swap for all the tea in China!!!! A MUST READ!!!!!

The Murder Bag by Tony Parsons (Max Wolfe #1)

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Synopsis: Twenty years ago seven rich, privileged students became friends at their exclusive private school, Potter’s Field. Now they have started dying in the most violent way imaginable.

Detective Max Wolfe has recently arrived in the Homicide division of London’s West End Central, 27 Savile Row.

Soon he is following the bloody trail from the backstreets and bright lights of the city, to the darkest corners of the internet and all the way to the corridors of power. As the bodies pile up, Max finds the killer’s reach getting closer to everything – and everyone – he loves. Soon he is fighting not only for justice, but for his own life …

Kat’s Rating: 3/5

Kat’s Review: Okay, I have to admit I found this a little tough going. There was nothing wrong with the story, and I certainly liked the main character but there were things that just didn’t work for me in this debut crime novel by Tony Parsons’. It’s clear that Tony Parsons has a fabulous career as a writer, but for me there were parts of this book that felt disjointed. This book centres on a group of privileged school boys who are now grown men, and it seems being killed one at a time. This had all the ingredients to be a cracking read, but it seems there were parts that just weren’t right to make it the perfect dish.

I didn’t dislike the main character Max Wolfe, but with the crime genre, I prefer to gain snippets of their private lives with the sole focus being on the murder or crime that has been committed. In this book it seems the balance is largely on Wolfe’s private life. There is also one particular point regarding Wolfe’s ex-wife which grated on me. I don’t want to add spoilers but you are led to believe one thing and then it becomes apparent it’s another, and this didn’t sit right with me. There also seems to be a large emphasis on Max Wolfe’s daughter. I have nothing against family being involved in the story, but this seemed like overkill.

I also felt like there were elements to the writing where you were getting into the flow of one thing, and then it abruptly stops and moves on to something different. I think this is the reason it feels so dis-jointed. Aside from those negatives, I liked the story and they crime side of it was good, it was just overshadowed for me by too much of his personal life. Having said that, many authors like to give you a solid starting point for a character in book 1, hence the reason we get so much information on Wolfe’s personal life.

I will certainly be looking to read book 2, and hope that the latter is the reason for the heavy sway on Wolfe’s life rather than his job. Overall this wasn’t a bad book, just too unmemorable. Fingers crossed book 2 is a better read.

I am Death by Chris Carter (Robert Hunter #7)

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AN EVIL MIND was Chris Carters’s most acclaimed novel to date, described by the Daily mail as: ‘A chilling, compulsive portrait of a psychopath, and proves that Carter is now in the Jeffrey Deaver class.’ It spent three weeks in the Sunday Times top ten and received brillant reviews and sales.

This terrifying new standalone thriller reunites Hunter and Garcia in their most explosive case to date

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have been seriously converted in a short space of time having not picked up his first book in the series until 2013. I made sure that I caught up in record time and always seem to be eagerly awaiting the next book. I was really looking forward to I Am Death, and wondered whether we would see the return of Hunter’s partner Garcia. For those that maybe haven’t read him before I would seriously suggest going back and starting at the beginning as this series is absolutely brilliant, Chris last book An Evil Mind scored a solid 5/5 from me even though Garcia didn’t feature in the book. Thankfully we see the return of him in this one and I am dead chuffed as it didn’t seem right without him.

Although this book features both of them, it is being marketed as a stand-alone novel. In this latest outing Hunter and Garcia are called upon when women are being abducted and found dead following torturous scenes. I have always found Chris Carter’s books to be extremely graphic, so if you aren’t a fan of this kind of thing you may want to steer clear. As usual there are questions surrounding how the killer is managing to abduct these women with no trace. Hunter and Garcia are as always religiously dedicated to tracking the killer down.

This particular book had me extremely squeamish in places and this is not normally something that bothers me all too much. However, some scenes were pretty harrowing and I found myself wishing it would hurry up and finish. Although I definitely enjoyed this book and am pleased to see the return of Garcia, I felt like it wasn’t quite as good as his previous books. The writing, characters and suspense is all there. For me however, this storyline didn’t grab me as much as other books he has written. This is certainly still a firm favourite when it comes to series of books and I will still look forward to the next one in the series.

The Domino Killer by Neil White (Joe and Sam Parker #3)

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Synopsis: When a man is found beaten to death in a local Manchester park, Detective Constable Sam Parker is one of the investigating officers. Sam swiftly identifies the victim, but what at first looks like an open and shut case quickly starts to unravel when he realises that the victim’s fingerprints were found on a knife at another crime scene, a month earlier.

Meanwhile, Sam’s brother, Joe – a criminal defence lawyer in the city – comes face to face with a man whose very presence sends shockwaves through his life. Joe must confront the demons of his past as he struggles to come to terms with the darkness that this man represents. Before long, Joe and Sam are in way over their heads, both sucked into a terrifying game of cat-and-mouse that threatens to change their lives for ever…

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: I have read a couple of Neil White’s books but chose this as I thought it was a standalone. What I didn’t realise was this is book 3 in a new series featuring Sam and Joe Parker. Luckily having not read the first two made no difference as there is plenty of background on the characters and relevant parts of the storyline so you don’t feel you are missing anything. Sam Parker the first brother is a Manchester copper, and a family man. His brother Joe is a criminal prosecutor and although the brothers remain loyal to each other you can tell from the early stages things are strained between them.

Sam is called to a man that had been beaten to death in a park and it takes little time to identify the victim. However what baffles Sam is that the victim’s fingerprints were also found on a knife at an old crime scene. What seems like an innocuous enough discovery, is actually a huge problem which starts to open a can of worms for everybody involved. Sam is on the other side of town having been called to a station to represent a client. Meeting that client , also starts a chain of events that Sam has no control over.

It’s difficult to say too much more about the storyline as to do so ruins it somewhat for people that haven’t read it yet. What I will say is that both Sam and Joe’s past comes back to haunt both of them and it invariably leads to both of them taking ricks that may cost them everything. Joe was definitely my preferred character of the two, but Sam was certainly readable…just a bit prickly. I also liked the introduction of Joe’s colleague Gina. It seemed like as the story progresses there just cam another layer of questions.

This was certainly a very enjoyable book and packed full of action. Although not necessary I wish that I had read the first two in the series to give me a bit of background on Sam and Joe. A very enjoyable read and I will look forward to the next one

That Night by Chevy Stevens

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Synopsis: Eighteen-year-old Toni and her boyfriend, Ryan, were wrongly convicted of the murder of her younger sister. Seventeen years later, she’s out on parole and back in her hometown, but she’s struggling to adjust to a new life on the outside. Ryan is convinced he can uncover the truth; her mother still doesn’t believe Toni’s innocent; and the former high school girls who made Toni’s life miserable may have darker secrets than anyone can imagine. Before Toni can move forward, she must take a terrifying step back to her past to find out the truth and clear her name, before it’s too late.

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review: Having never read Chevy Stevens I was looking forward to reading another new author. I have heard nothing but good things about her and the synopsis for this one sounded great! The introduction shows us Toni as an adult having served a long sentence for the murder of her sister. She is getting ready for her release and is preparing herself to go back into not only society, but the town she once lived in.

The second chapter then takes us back to Toni’s youth and we begin to get an understanding of her younger years. We also meet her young boyfriend Ryan, her parents and Sister Nicole. It took me only a couple of chapters to become immersed in the story and I found myself wanting to know what had gone on in the past. The switch between present and past was done pretty well and it was easy to follow with each chapter seemingly leading closer to the truth.

I certainly like the way Chevy Stevens writes and it was easy to follow and had enough mystery interweaved that it held your attention. There were a couple of minor sticking points, but nothing enough for me to really be that bothered. I thought I had it figured out and the plot is seemingly straightforward, but actually it wasn’t until much later in the book that the penny finally dropped about the reasons why.

I am so pleased that I set this challenge to read new authors as Chevy Stevens is certainly an author that is interesting to read. I have already got her next book lined up and can’t wait to get started. This author is certainly one I would recommend and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Those We Left Behind by Stuart Neville (Serena Flannigan #1)

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Synopsis: When 12-year-old Ciaran Devine confessed to murdering his foster father it sent shock waves through the nation.

DCI Serena Flanagan, then an ambitious Detective Sergeant, took Ciaran’s confession after days spent earning his trust. He hasn’t forgotten the kindness she showed him – in fact, she hasn’t left his thoughts in the seven years he’s been locked away.

Probation officer Paula Cunningham, now tasked with helping Ciaran re-enter society, suspects there was more to this case than the police uncovered. Ciaran’s confession saved his brother Thomas from a far lengthier sentence, and Cunningham can see the unnatural hold Thomas still has over his vulnerable younger brother.

When she brings her fears to DCI Flanagan, the years of lies begin to unravel, setting a deadly chain of events in motion.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5

My Review: Well, well, well…looks like I’ve been missing out. When I had the opportunity for an early copy of a Stuart Neville book I decided to take it as I haven’t got around to reading his other stuff. It also looks to be the start of a series of books featuring CDI Serena Flannigan so I figured also a good place to start. I am SO glad I made that decision because this book was an absolute corker. Disturbing alright, but a corker all the same.

Serena Flannigan is a bloody fabulous woman. Although a lot of leading women have problems with authority, Serena is not one of them. She just has a huge chip on her shoulder and an attitude the size of a house. I LOVED her from the get go. Paula Cunningham is at the other end of the police spectrum and is a probation officer dealing with newly released prisoners. She was also a great character and seemed like she was constantly teetering on the edge of alcohol! The story centres around two brothers that have spent time in prison for the murder of their Foster Father. Ciaran and Thomas are quite frankly bewildering and disturbing characters to read, it’s also what makes them almost addictive reading.

As Ciaran is released Paula Cunningham is allocated as his probation officer. However, Serena  is pulled into the mix as Paula needs her input on the sort of character Ciaran is. Serena was part of the initial investigation into the murders and as the story progresses we are taken back in time to when she interviewed and investigated both Ciaran and Thomas. The story gets more and more involved and if I’m being honest I really didn’t want to put it down. It keeps building in pace and towards the end I wondered if anybody was going to make it intact.

Stuart Neville is an author that wills tick in my memory now that’s for sure. An absolutely brilliant start to what I hope is an ongoing series. An absolute corker of a book and one that will have you gripped from start to finish! Can’t wait to see what’s next for Serena Flannigan.

No Other Darkness by Sarah Hilary (Marnie Rome #2)

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Synopsis: Two young boys. Trapped underground in a bunker. Unable to understand why they are there.  Desperate for someone to find them. Slowly realising that no-one will…

Five years later, the boys’ bodies are found and the most difficult case of DI Marnie Rome’s career begins. Her only focus is the boys. She has to find out who they are and what happened to them. For Marnie, there is no other darkness than this…

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

My Review: I loved Sarah Hilary’s debut novel, so much so that I moved straight onto Book 2 which was released in April.  DI Marnie Rome and her colleague DS Noah Jake are back together and investigating the discovery of two young children found in a hidden bunker. The opening chapters describing the murder scene are creep enough but you get that cold dark feeling seeping into your bones, when you realise this will not be a straightforward case.

In this second instalment, aside from the main storyline, I love the fact that we are getting snippets of information about the two main characters Marnie and Noah. I feel like you are getting to know them that little bit more with each book they appear in. The main storyline features some rather harrowing issues but they are dealt with brilliantly and you don’t feel like things are forced down your throat. What starts as a missing children’s case opens up a can of worms and before you know it there is so much more going on.

Another thing I really liked was the way your thought process follows you down one path and then Hilary pulls the twists out of the bag like only a Magician can do. I was left wondering a couple of times how I didn’t figure things out. Loads of plot threads keeping you entertained from start to finish and the writing and characters keep you wanting more. This is certainly going to be on my list of ‘must-read’ series. This is another fabulous new author to add to my ever growing list, and one that I would highly recommend.

Someone Else’s Skin by Sarah Hilary (Marnie Rome #1)

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Synopsis: Called to a woman’s refuge to take a routine witness statement, DI Marnie Rome instead walks in on an attempted murder.

Trying to uncover the truth from layers of secrets, Marnie finds herself confronting her own demons.

Because she, of all people, knows that it can be those closest to us we should fear the most . .

Kat’s Rating: 4/5

Kat’s Review:  Well, well…now I know what all the fuss is about. I’ve been reading some great reviews for Sarah Hillary’s debit novel and was excited to see if it lived up to the hype. Thankfully it certainly ticked all the boxes, so much so that I am already reading book 2. DI Marnie Rome (FABULOUS lead characters name I think) is working alongside DS Noah Jake and their new case involves a woman who is seeking solace at a refuge after being brutally attacked by her own family. When they arrive at the refuge they come across an unfolding scene which involves another woman stabbing her husband in the chest. What seemed like a simple plot line had suddenly become a lot more complicated.

Marnie Rome has an interesting background and as such has certain issues that make her the way she is. There is no hiding her past within the book and it gives you a great feel for her as a character. The pairing with DS Noah Jake was a great one and he too is another interesting character. Nowhere near as brash and prickly as Marnie, but he too comes with his own past and back story. From the first few chapters I felt drawn in to the storey and was completely involved. The subject matter makes for some depressingly realistic reading but the story is very engaging and I couldn’t find fault with anything.

Seeing as this was Sarah Hillary’s debut novel, it was fantastic and certainly I hope the start of another fantastic series. Wonderful characters and great storyline mean that I am not waiting and will move straight on to book 2 ‘No Other Darkness’ which was released in April 2015. I would definitely recommend this to people looking for new Crime authors, and can only hope that book 2 is just as good, if not better than the first.

Integration by Stephen Edger (Mark Baines #1)

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My Rating: 4/5

Synopsis:  THE OFFER- Mark Baines is a Team Leader in a call centre. He dislikes his job and dreams of the day he can afford to give up his job and buy the house of his dreams. Following a terrifying burglary at his home, he is contacted by a group prepared to pay him one million pounds in return for a favour. 

THE CATCH – The offer seems too good to be true, and he begins to worry about what they might expect in return. The group calls again and tells him to integrate their laundered monies through the bank he works for, but he refuses. When Mark’s girlfriend Gabrielle goes missing and his brother is attacked, Mark begins to realise just how far the group will go to get what they want. 

EVERYONE HAS THEIR PRICE – As the game begins and the pressure mounts, Mark finds himself risking everything he has to find Gabrielle and save his own life before the group and the police catch up with him. 

INTEGRATION – Blackmail, murder, suspense, conspiracy and money laundering: Integration is a British crime thriller set in the murky depths of the finance industry.  

My Review: The synopsis on this sounded good and I was looking forward to getting started. It was a very easy read and instantly you can’t help but like Mark Baines, just because he is an ordinary bloke. He’s got a normal job, house and friends and could easily be somebody you know. When he is burgled he thinks it’s just bad luck and tries to get over it and carry on with his normal routine. However, when he receives a strange offer from somebody claiming to wipe his debt and pay him £1,000,000 he figures it’s all a joke. From that point on things take a rather bizarre and worrying turn.

What seems like a simple choice ends up starting a ridiculous chain reaction that will literally change his life forever. The writing was great and picks up pace as the story progresses. I certainly liked Mark as a character and I was pretty enthralled from the beginning. Having read previous reviews of this book some people say that the premise is over the top and ridiculous. I understand why some people would think that, but this is fiction. I read books such as Simon Kernick’s which sometimes border on the unrealistic, but I love them. For that reason I think this book falls into the same category. Yes it may seem implausible, but if I wanted to read something ‘true to life’ I’d be reading a Biography (yawn).

The story literally had me grabbed and I just couldn’t believe how much of a mess Mark ends up in. The other addition to the story was a character DC Ali Jacobs. She was a great addition and made it all the more interesting. Was this a little farfetched? Yes. Did I care? No. Did I really enjoy it? Yes without a doubt. I think this was a cracking story; no, it’s not the best I have read in this genre but a worthy addition to your Kindle. The other bonus about this was that the first book finished on somewhat of a cliff-hanger meaning I HAD to read the next one. I would definitely recommend this, especially as it’s less than £1 currently on Kindle.

Evil Games by Angie Marsons (Kim Stone #2)

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Synopsis: When a rapist is found mutilated in a brutal attack, Detective Kim Stone and her team are called in to bring a swift resolution. But, as more vengeful killings come to light, it soon becomes clear that there is someone far more sinister at work. With the investigation quickly gathering momentum, Kim finds herself exposed to great danger and in the sights of a lethal individual undertaking their own twisted experiment. Up against a sociopath who seems to know her every weakness, for Detective Stone, each move she makes could be deadly. As the body count starts to mount, Kim will have to dig deeper than ever before to stop the killing. And this time – it’s personal.

Kat’s Rating: 5/5 Continue reading “Evil Games by Angie Marsons (Kim Stone #2)”